I share an experience I had with the visit to one of the most important manufacturers of this kind of solutions.
By Alfredo Sotolongo*
The most economical energy to produce is the one that is saved!
I just returned from holidays from Portugal and Spain, where we rented a car to take a long tour of southern Spain. I can confirm that it is always that one is very impressed, not only by the landscapes and the quality of the roads in general, but with the technical progress of both nations.
As usual, it was not all vacations because I always take advantage of travel to take care of matters of interest to my professional career. This time it was a very interesting visit to the EVAC air handling unit factory, located in Porto, Portugal, whose experience I want to share with you.
As everyone knows, air handling units must be able to contribute considerably to energy savings, provided they are properly designed. At the time of selecting them, it must be confirmed that the manufacturer meets the conditions expressed below:
- Double wall with two inches thick in the cabinet with thermal insulation of resistance R-13.
- Each panel that forms the cabinet has a thermal break slot, which further limits the thermal transfer through the panels.
- Rigid construction panels, prevent air leakage.
- The inner wall prevents moisture from damaging the thermal insulation.
- The inner wall prevents the growth of microbes that can affect the insulating material.
- The use of state-of-the-art control systems that help maximize the operation of each unit by adapting the energy consumption to the thermal load present at all times.
- The use of heat recuperators to take advantage of the conditions of the return air to improve the conditions of the ventilation outside air.
Both the company and the selection program must be part of institutions that verify the operating conditions and certify the conditions published by the manufacturer in its technical literature. Certifications that not all manufacturers have.
What made the visit very interesting was to verify that these units that offer so many benefits have an extremely reasonable commercial value, allowing projects with limited budgets to benefit.
It is highly recommended that before embarking each unit, the selected manufacturer submits it to tests simulating conditions according to what is specified in the plans. This is achieved in the testing and certification laboratory that must comply with the strictest standards that exist at all times. Especially in applications in operating rooms, industrial processes and clean rooms, design conditions are maintained regardless of changes in thermal load and outdoor air conditions.
Another important point is that the manufacturer has the flexibility to adapt to changes in standards and the market and that it applies its own experience to achieve innovative systems both in technology and in regulation and certification.
EVAC for many years has been a company of international projection. He has designed and manufactured units not only for the European market but for South America and North Africa, where he has excelled in very special and unusual applications. As a member of the EUROVENT commission that certifies the air handling units, he has received certification of the DIN 1946 4 standard that represents an important recognition of his technology (know-how) and a passport that allows him to enter the select group of European manufacturers in possession of this prestigious certificate.
When selecting air handling units, which require double-walled cabinet, I suggest you take into consideration the points explained above. This will contribute to much more efficient air conditioning systems.
If you need more information on any of the topics covered in this column, please contact me at the mail: [email protected]
* President of Protec, Inc., is certified as a professional engineer in Puerto Rico and the state of Florida; has more than 40 years of experience in the application and sale of systems and equipment for energy conservation. He is a member of ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers), AEE (Association of Energy Engineers), ASHRAE and was president of the Miami chapter of that association.
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